HL Deb 15 March 1932 vol 83 cc908-10
LORD MARLEY

My Lords, before the noble Earl moves the adjournment of the House perhaps he can tell us what will be the course of business between now and the rising of the House for the Easter Recess.

EARL STANHOPE

My Lords, I am afraid I cannot do that, but I can give information regarding the rest of this week. As the noble Lord knows, there is a Motion by the noble Earl, Lord Buxton, about Liberia to-morrow, and I was about to give notice that on Thursday the Financial Emergency Enactments (Continuance) Bill is due to come kef ore us on Second Heading and to pass through all its stages. It has been read a first time to-day. I think there is nothing else on the Paper for that day except the Committee stage of the Gas Undertakings Bill, and then there is nothing else for this week.

LORD MARLEY

Do I understand that we are again going to have legislation rushed by taking this Bill through all its stages, including the Royal Assent, on Thursday?

EARL STANHOPE

Yes.

LORD MARLEY

Is there any business for Tuesday of next week?

EARL STANHOPE

I believe that Lord Lovat has a Motion down, I should add that I understand that the Financial Emergency Enactments (Continuance) Bill is required to pass through at once in order to get the Royal Assent so as to continue legislation which is necessary. I believe it is a very short Bill of only one clause, so that I hope that your Lordships, who have discussed the whole question already, will be prepared to give it a quick passage. That being the case, I beg to give Notice now that a Motion will be put down for the Second Reading of this Bill, and for the suspension of Standing Order No. XXXIX in order to pass it through all its stages on Thursday next, as it is desired that the Bill should receive the Royal Assent on that day.

LORD MARLEY

My Lords, I should like to enter an emphatic protest against this rushing of legislation. It has been the persistent practice of the present Government during the last four and a half months. It surely would have been possible to have foreseen this pressure of legislation, and to have introduced the Bill into the House of Commons at an earlier date. I trust that the noble Earl will convey that emphatic protest to the proper quarter.

EARL STANHOPE

I will certainly convey the noble Lord's protest, but I am sure that if the noble Lord lives long enough to sit again on this Bench, he will find himself in precisely the position I am now in, and that legislation will still be coming up when there is not adequate time for its discussion in this House. It has happened ever since I have been in Parliament.

House adjourned at a quarter before seven o'clock.